43 * SUCCESSFUL FRUIT CULTURE 



For very heavy work, as cutting off branches one inch or 

 more in diameter, a hirger hook may )jg made by any 

 good blacksmith or machinist with a pole ten to twelve 

 feet in length. 



Pruning shears (Figure 26) are indispensable in 

 the care of the orchard, as is also the pruning knife, 

 which should be of good material and be kept where 

 they will not rust; for such tools often rust out more 

 quickly than they wear out. 



Time for Pruning — In this work we must keep in 

 mind the rule practiced by most skilled orchardists that 



Fig. 26— Pruning Shears 



"we prune while the tree is dormant to increase growth, 

 \A'hile we prune when the trees are in foliage to reduce 

 growth." In very few cases, if ever, do we find it 

 necessary to check the growth of our trees, and therefore 

 we would prune only from November to May. If we 

 prune in the early winter the wound remains uncovered 

 and dries in more deeply than if the work is done in 

 March or April, and for this reason the author prefers 

 the latter time. 



It is the practice of many orchardists when large 

 branches are to be removed to cut them off, leaving the 

 stubs from four to six inches long, and then in May or 

 June to cut them close to the main branch or trunk, 

 when the wound will heal over more rapidly than at any 



